[Aquanet] Lorraine's love letters

[Gilles Durand]

Hi gang!


 I quite agree with what you say Mary on the role of watercolors being
perceived as ephemeral in this situation. The difficulty of handling (glass,
concern with moisture...) is also put forward by some galleries.

 From what I hear here and there the lower status of WC vs. oil is more or
less the same everywhere with some fluctuations in time, while everybody
seems convinced the situation is better in other countries. Not so to my
knowledge, except may be in the U.K. (in terms of consideration, but I think
some price differential exists everywhere). Anybody to confirm/infirm?

 True: A significant portion of the art market world simply scorns
watercolor as an inferior artistic medium, hence the lower prices, hence the
attitude of most galleries whose main concern is the amount of $ they can
exhibit per sp inch of wall. 
With respect to this situation, I am grateful to people who battle to
promote watercolor as a major artistic medium through art associations,
shows ... Beyond trying to contribute to these actions and to produce the
best art we can, I guess the problem solution is out of our hands, a matter
of fashion and whatever!

 On the other hand it is true that watercolors require a proper material
selection and "manufacturing" process on the part of the artist to ensure
longevity. Although a lot of progress has been made on this aspect, to the
extent it is no longer an issue for watercolors properly made and handled,
doubt seems to persist in the public. Which is understandable to a certain
extent as the use of acid free paper may not be easily identifiable by
dealers or prospective buyers, not to talk about the light-fastness of
pigments used (And I am sure we have all seen more or less severely faded
watercolors hanging in homes).

 On this aspect, even if what I produce is of minute artistic value, I feel
a responsibility and try to be very careful in my materials selection for
example, not only out of respect for clients who purchase my work, but also
because I feel I contribute, however little, to the way our medium is
perceived.
I may be wrong, but my perception is that even though my work is in a low
price range, I play in a market where the price of watercolors relative to
oils is partly determined, at the high end of the market, by their perceived
long term investment value, of which physical longevity is obviously a key
parameter.
Conversely, what we do at all levels of the market contribute to the general
perception of watercolors as an investment value purchase. 
To be honest, longevity problems because of inappropriate methodology are
not restricted to watercolors as the state of some highly priced oil or
acrylic rather recent works attest, which do not seem to deter investors.
So...

What do you think? Am I going overboard with my concern for
"professionalism"?

Kind regards,

Gilles

-----Original Message-----
From: aquanet-bounces at thedigitalbraintrust.net
[mailto:aquanet-bounces at thedigitalbraintrust.net] On Behalf Of Mary E
Whitehill
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:14 PM
To: aquanet at cleverwhiz.com
Subject: Re: [Aquanet] Lorraine's love letters


Watercolors are still not considered on the level of oils in the US
either.  There has been a definite downturn on sales of watercolors
compared to oils at every auction I have attended the past two years. 
There is a misconception that watercolors are more ephemeral.  Actually
it is the most permanent of all mediums.  Paintings done 150 years ago by
my great grandfather proved this.  The oils had to be restored by
removing the darkened varnish.  Some were cracked.  The pastels were so
fragile that many were easily damaged.  The watercolors, however are just
like new.  Several had to be soaked to remove pasted on cardboard
backing, which would have eventually destroyed them. 
Watercolors are much more expensive and more difficult to frame, which
may account for the trend away from them by artists, but the fact that
oils attract higher prices is more likely the cause.  
M. E Whitehill - Watercolors
 wtrclr at juno.com
Fine art paintings of flowers, landscapes, historic sites of the Hudson
Valley

Check "What's New" on my Web Site  www.mewhitehill.com
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